Wedding
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Harry questioned Cho.
Cho glared at Harry and nodded furiously. "Look, it's not like we could stop them from coming anyway. We are going to have an open ceremony and a private reception at Phoenix Hall. And ask me again, and I'll call the whole thing off." Cho stormed out the front door.
Harry shook his head and slumped into his chair at the breakfast table. He waved his wand and the table started to clean itself. One week after they had sent out their official invitations to their wedding and already the pressure was on. Cho had gotten Dumbledore to pull a lot of strings to obtain the rights for them to marry at Stonehenge, but the problem was the only date it could be pulled off was a month away. Cho had practically been a nervous wreck ever since and had no tolerance for anything to go wrong or slow.
"Harry!" Cho called. "What's the postman doing?"
Harry got up and went to the front door. There, at the welded shut mailbox, stood a man in his late thirties trying desperately to open the box. Harry walked past the stunned Cho and to the man.
"Um…sir? I can take those." Harry held out his hand for the mail.
The postman frowned at Harry. "You should get that replaced."
Harry nodded absently. "Just moved in…haven't had time." He looked up and smiled and walked away from the still frowning man with a muttered, "Thanks."
Harry walked back up the path and passed Cho who seemed to be coming around. He grabbed her hand and pulled her back into the house.
"Who sent us letters?" Cho muttered.
Harry handed her five letters and kept the other five. "These five are from the States…"
"…And these are from London." Cho stared at the royal seal on the back of one of the letters. "They can't actually be coming…right?"
Harry shook his head. "They're politicians…they're going to turn our wedding into publicity stunt."
Cho closed her eyes. "I knew there was a reason I liked Cedric more than you."
"Gee," Harry read through a rather impersonal letter from the Chief Justice of the United States' Supreme Court. "You're very romantic today."
Cho gasped softly. "I was just kidding, Harry."
Harry looked up and smiled. "I know."
Cho was about to respond when Hedwig landed between them carrying three letters and Holly was carrying two. Osiris appeared just above Harry's head in a fireball clutching another couple of letters in his beak.
"We're popular today," Harry commented and relieved his pets of their burdens. "There should be food in the nest outside." He told an expectant Hedwig; the other two birds had already left for the miniature tree house.
"They're from our friends at least." Cho smirked.
Harry raised his eyebrows. "Who didn't reply?"
Cho searched through the letters. "The Halliwells, but I spoke to Paige the day before yesterday and she told me that they were planning on coming." Harry nodded and proceeded to open the letter from Ron.
Dear Harry and Cho,
Thank you again for the use of your Victorian Manor; it's massive! I'll get you the rent ASAP; I just need to get paid by my employer. He's a rather rude Muggle but at least the job will get me through until I start at the Ministry here. I was at Hermione's earlier and everything is fine over there. Ginny convinced the school district to allow her to enroll in Wyatt's high school for free. Hermione's job at the wand shop has taken off; it seems she has a talent for making wands (as if she doesn't have enough to brag about). Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I've convinced my boss to give me that weekend off.
See you soon,
Ron
"Well, Ron is coming." Harry stated hesitantly.
Cho smiled, "So you know you're going to have to choose between him and Wyatt. Open Kyle's letter…let's make this interesting."
Harry glared at Cho but complied with her request.
Harry and Cho,
Sorry this letter is so short, but I had to write it before my dad got home. He's still annoyed with the whole magic thing, but at least he's not pulling his hair out anymore. I've spoken to the others and they've all got similar problems. But none of us want to miss your wedding. We've made plans to orb over there if our parents don't come around, but I hope they do. Nothing against Ethan, but he's never gotten the hang of that power. Anyways, you can count me in for the wedding. If they can't get there then I'll figure out a way; after all, I am a descent blinker…
…I'm kidding, Harry. Our parents all agreed to allow us to come to the wedding under the condition that we'll return on the earliest flight the next day.
Thank Osiris for me; he was a bit annoyed when I called for him.
Kyle
Harry groaned. "Well, it's not like my life so far has been easy; why did I expect this to be any different?"
"It's not that bad," Cho sat down on his lap, "and besides, you get me in return for all your troubles."
Harry smiled. "Who are you choosing as your maid-of-honor?"
"I was planning on choosing Ginny." Cho laughed at the look on Harry's face. "I've actually known her the longest of all my, er…true friends, but now it looks like I'll have to wait."
Harry frowned. "And why is that?"
Cho muttered something about men. "I can't precisely choose Ginny if you're not going to choose Wyatt."
Harry chuckled softly. "You know you could choose first, and then I'll choose whoever matches up with your maid-of-honor."
"What?" Cho sat up staring at Harry. "And miss you tormenting yourself with the decision? Not on your life."
Harry mock growled."You're sadistic!"
Cho nodded. "And you love it."
Harry sweetly kissed his fiancé and they resumed opening their letters.
Cho pulled Ginny away from the front window of the gown shop. Hermione was barely controlling her laughter, but one look from the youngest Weasley sobered her up. Cho watched the two roommates glare at each other for a couple of seconds.
"Ok now, can we please get back to me?"
Hermione and Ginny's angry faces broke into laughter. Cho smiled and opened the door to the store. They entered and just stared at the various wedding gowns on display. Cho gulped; this was going to be a long day.
"Can I help you?" A tiny plump woman with gray hair asked from the front counter.
Cho walked forward. "I would like to purchase a gown."
"That is obvious," the woman snapped. "Did you have anything in mind or are you going to waste my time trying on every damn dress in this place?"
Cho took a step back.
"Don't mind my mother," a handsome young man walked out from the back of the store. "She didn't get her cup of coffee this morning."
"And whose fault is that?"
The man turned to face his mother. "You can go back up stairs, mother; I'm done in the back."
The woman got off her stool and muttered a "thank the Lord" before heading into the back of the shop. The man shook his head and turned back to face Cho. "She's usually at least pleasant to the customers. My name is Preston."
He held out his hand and Cho shook it. "Cho Chang."
Preston smiled, "I was hoping I would meet you…your mother bought her wedding gown from my father. One of the best he ever made, or at least he said so." He pulled out his wand and a measuring tape. "Harry Potter is a lucky boy."
Cho blushed. Hermione and Ginny were swooning. "I want something simple, yet…modern."
Preston nodded and started the measuring process. "Are these two also getting dresses?"
Hermione and Ginny looked up, startled.
Cho shook her head. "I've yet to choose a maid-of-honor…or a color, for that matter."
Preston arched an eyebrow. "I'd suggest something in the range of emerald or perhaps a dark purple. You are having it outside, correct?"
Cho nodded and the tape recoiled to avoid hitting her in the eye. "Sorry."
Preston smiled. "Not a problem. Let's see, I think I have the perfect dress for you and the maids-of-honor: dresses to match." He searched through a catalog tapped his wand on a picture. "As simple as they get, and it will match your figure." He pulled out a different file and two dresses, one in purple and the other in dark green, appeared next to the wedding gown.
Cho stared at the gown and almost fell over because of how lightheaded she became. "It's…it's…"
"Beautiful!" Ginny breathlesslyexclaimed. Hermione ferventlynodded her agreement.
"Go try it on while I measure these two so they can try on their dresses." Preston waved his wand and a wooden door opened.
Cho levitated the gown in front of her and entered the large changing room. She briefly looked back to Ginny with a yellow measuring tape around her waist beforeshe closed the door and put on the dress.
As soon as the smooth fabric slid over her skin,she instantly knew that thiswas her weddingdress. It was pure white with a design of Celtic knotted diamonds on her back. It was strapless and lacked a veil. It trailed behind her for about a foot; enough to make it look elegant without being a nuisance to the wearer ofthe dress. She opened the door and heard Ginny and Hermione's gasps of delight.
"So…what do you think?" Cho asked nervous.
"You're stunning!" Hermione stated. "Harry's going to be in shock."
Ginny smiled and nodded her agreement. "If you don't buy it, I will!"
Cho laughed. "How much?"
Preston frowned. "Not a question I usually get asked until all of the gowns have been sampled…two thousand Galleons."
Cho choked back her shock. "You could buy a house with that much money."
Preston nodded sadly. "It's a one of a kind…the last dress my dad made. If it were any other customer, I'd charge another thousand Galleons, at least."
"Cho," Hermione whispered, "You know that you don't have to worry about the price. Harry wouldn't care if you spent every last Knut in his vault."
Ginny added her own two cents. "And two thousand Galleons wouldn't even make a dent."
Cho nodded, but still remained uncertain. "I don't want to make Harry think I'm a spoiled girl…"
Preston rubbed his hands together nervously. "I'll make you an offer…you buy that dress and I'll do all the planning for your wedding for free."
Cho's eyes comically widened. "Why?"
Preston laughed. "Don't worry, I'm not crazy or anything like that…it's just…you look perfect in that dress. No one else will ever compare to you in it."
Cho's cheeks reddened. "I still don't know, though…I should ask Harry first."
Hermione shook her head and grabbed Cho's arm. "Harry won't mind, Cho; I promise. He'll do anything to please you and you know that. If you ask him, he'll say yes and then you'll feel guilty."
Cho rolled her eyes."Like I won't if I just bought the dress now?"
Ginny tried a different approach. "You could buy it yourself."
Cho airily laughed, "I've never had that much money in my entire life."
Preston interrupted. "I think I have another solution…I don't usually do this. I'll allow you to buy it on store credit. If Mr. Potter doesn't absolutely adore you in the dress, then you can return it free of charge."
"Preston, I…" Cho searched for the right words. "…I couldn't do that."
The wizard bowed his head slightly, appearing to study his wand."My father would want you to wear that dress…" He raised his head and walked up to Cho. "Believe me; I know he would be rolling in his grave if anyone else bought this dress."
"But…"
Hermione pulled out her purse. "I'll pay for it. Consider it a wedding present from myself, Ron, and the rest of my family." When Cho started to argue Hermione held up her hand. "Cho, it's worth every Knut and I can afford it."
"You can?" Ginny stared at Hermione.
"My parents made some very good investments for my college education and I'm not going to be using it for that. They gave it to me as a graduation present…this is dress is only a fraction of that…"
Cho tightly hugged Hermione, drowning out the rest of her sentence. "Thank you so much, Hermione!"
"I have only one condition…"
"What?" Cho questioned.
Hermione looked at Ginny. "That you buy the emerald bridesmaid's dresses."
"And what about the maid-of-honor?" Cho asked a bit surprised by her request.
Hermione waved her hand dismissively. "I don't want to end your fun…Harry can make that decision all by himself."
"Do you think Ron is expecting to be Harry's best man?"
Hermione shrugged. "He hasn't said anything, but I can tell you he'd be disappointed if he isn't picked."
"I have a feeling Harry is going to pick Kyle." Cho stated as she handed Preston a transfer card to pay for the bridesmaid's dresses.
Ginny nodded, "Good choice. That way I won't have to deal with Ron glaring at Wyatt any more than usual."
"Who's going to be your third bridesmaid?" Hermione asked as they climbed into the car.
Cho shrugged. "At the moment, it's Tonks but she is not sure if the trials will have begun by then or not."
"I'm pretty sure the Minister is not going to pass up the publicity."
Harry sat in the armchair watching his two best friends arguing over the latest referee call in the soccer game being broadcast over the radio. He had turned off the TV because the two of them were arguing constantly, being able to watch the game. At least with the radio the arguments were confined to the commercials. Ron was going on that the referee was favoring the home team and Wyatt was complaining that the home team was a bunch of cheaters. Neither of them seemed to notice they both supported the same side.
The front door opened and Harry hastily got up, happy for an excuse to leave the room. He greeted Cho with a kiss."Did you find a dress?"
Cho nodded. "It's perfect."
"Cool." Harry looked at the beaming girls behind Cho. "They like their dresses?"
Hermione walked through the door. "You have no idea."
Harry frowned, but Cho motioned for him to drop the subject.
Ginny arched an eyebrow at the growing volume of the two voices in the living room. "You left them alone!"
Harry nodded. "If one of them dies, it makes my job easier."
Cho leaned in closer. "You didn't talk to them?"
"I'll do it over dinner…they're taking me out; probably to argue over who should be my best man."
Cho nodded. "Just remember Wyatt's not legal, even in the wizarding world."
"Oh, shoot," Harry pretended to snap his fingers. "I was hoping to get super-drunk and squeeze in a couple of lap dances."
"That's your bachelor's party," Wyatt interrupted before kissing Ginny. "We should go…traffic's going to be terrible into Oakland."
"Oakland?" Harry inquired.
Ron nodded. "There's a quiet wizarding pub there boasting to serve the best butterbeers."
"So, couldn't you just orb there?" Cho asked.
Wyatt smiled, "That's personal gain...the consequences could be terrible…"
"And you've been reprimanded by your mother for using your magic in front of her friends." Ginny stated earning herself a glare. "No magic until he learns his lesson. Right, Wy?"
"But isn't magic exposed?" Hermione inquired. "We don't have to be so careful about using magic in front of Muggles now."
"Ah," Wyatt said overdramatically. "Therein lies our dilemma. How much is too much?"
"When you use magic to impress your girlfriend," Harry smirked at Wyatt, "That, I would say, is too much."
"Anyway," Wyatt ignored Harry's jibe, "I'm threatened with the binding of my powers if I use them for personal gain. That includes transporting people around when there is other means of getting to the place."
Harry pulled out his wand. "I could make those cars disappear with a swish."
Wyatt smiled, annoyed. "Harry, we're driving."
"If you insist." Harry pocketed his wand. "I'll be waiting for you there." He disappeared with a 'pop'.
Hermione grabbed Ron's wrist before he could also Disapparate. "You and Wyatt are going to drive to the pub."
"Why?" Ron glowered.
"Because," Ginny spoke up, "You two need to work out your differences. Harry is going to have a hard enough time choosing between the three of you as it is without you two sniping at each other."
Cho disappeared into the living room as Hermione carried on speaking. "You two are his closest friends…try and find some middle ground."
Wyatt grabbed his keys and Ron followed him out the door; neither looked pleased. Hermione and Ginny went to join Cho in the living room. Harry Apparated into the seat beside Cho.
"Do you think it's going to work?" Harry asked the two young women.
Ginny shrugged. "They could either become the best of friends or this could make their feud even worse."
"You know Ron's ego is not easily soothed." Hermione turned the television on.
Harry nodded and slumped his shoulders. "Wyatt's hardly Mr. Easygoing, either."
Cho was about to say something when the news report caught her attention. Harry turned to see the TV and groaned. The faces of the Death Eaters flashed across the screen; hollow, defeated, they looked ready to die. Harry shook his head as the faces of their wives and their children began showing up on screen.
"Draco's being charged you know," Hermione stated. "Dumbledore, Uurande-tur, and Claudia are all fighting to have his name removed from the wanted list."
"All the names of those not actually Death Eaters should be removed." Harry snapped.
Hermione nodded, "But I doubt that the Minister will ever do that...it's going to be a long chance to save Draco."
Harry laughed. "Draco's not going to be captured, Hermione. He's in hiding at the rebuilt Grimmauld Place."
"And how much longer is it going to remain Unplottable?" Hermione questioned. "The Order is going to have to move headquarters once it becomes part of the Ministry. And Phoenix Hall cannot become part of the Ministry's properties…it's protected by ancient curses. I don't think Merlin liked the leaders of his day."
Harry looked Hermione in the eyes. "Grimmauld Place will never be used as the Order's headquarters again. Not even Dumbledore can convince me to allow them back there. Draco is hiding there because I told him to, not the Order."
"So Dumbledore doesn't know where he is?" Ginny asked.
Harry shut his eyes readying himself for the uproar. "I feel Dumbledore can no longer be trusted to do what is right."
"You what!" screamed Hermione.
Harry took a deep breath. "Dumbledore is afraid of another war breaking out. He will not push the government too hard and that's bad. As long as he fears a war, I can't trust him. The Ministry is doing something that makes it no better than the man I murdered…and if they continue on like this, I will not sit back idly."
Cho glanced at Harry. "You would rebel?"
Harry shrugged. "I have not thought anything out yet. I'm still hoping that the Minister figures out he is mistaken."
"You can't start another war…" Hermione looked torn between pride and terror. "If you…we'll never survive."
Harry nodded. "That may be the only way." He Disapparated.
"Harry!" Ron burst through the pub's door. "Thank God!"
Harry cringed. "Ron, where's Wyatt?"
"Parking his car," Ron shook his head. "I'll be damned if I ever get into another vehicle he is driving."
"A firewhiskey," Harry told the bartender. "I don't remember him being a bad driver."
"He's not bad," Ron downed the alcohol. "He's terrible."
Wyatt walked through the door. "Harry, I think I could do with one of those."
Harry smiled. "Sorry, Wyatt you're still underage. A butterbeer, please."
"So, are you nervous?"
Harry waved the question off. "How was the car ride?"
Wyatt's eyes shifted to the floor. "Bearable…traffic wasn't as bad as usual."
"That's not what I'm concerned about." Harry handed Wyatt his butterbeer. "I want you two to be groomsmen along with Kyle…but I can't do that to Cho unless you two can get along."
"Err…"
"…Aha…"
Harry motioned for them to take a seat away from the bar. The bartender was looking at them in annoyance. They took a seat farther away from the table. Harry brought with him the butterbeer he had ordered for himself before Ron had burst through the doors. He would have done it earlier, but a few girls had bombarded him for his autograph pledging to do anything for it. He had put up with their banter before gently nudging them away from his body with a telekinetic shove. Once they realized that they could not break through his little bubble, they had left the pub.
"Look," Ron spoke awkwardly, "Harry, Wyatt and I have issues to work out, but we will never let our little spat ruin your wedding."
Harry nodded. "That's what you say while you're sober, Ron. You and Wyatt have been fighting ever since Wyatt and Ginny broke up. And we are all sick of it. Ron, you thought Wyatt was the best person for Ginny before the break up. What changed?"
Ron looked up at the ceiling. "Ahhh…"
"And Wyatt," Harry turned to look at the younger teen, "I have no idea why you're fighting with Ron."
"Maybe," Wyatt stated almost angrily, "it's because he's never nice to me. He's jealous that you and I are so close. He's fearful that you'll leave him behind." And he's not far from the truth.
Ron glared at Wyatt. "You're not supposed to read minds."
Harry snapped his fingers. "He doesn't have to. I knew that already…I was just being careful to not annoy you." He glared at Wyatt. "Ron, you know that you're my best friend…nothing can change that. Wyatt and I have…similar problems to deal with…problems no one else would begin to understand." Harry was wishing he had bought some firewhiskey instead of just butterbeer.
"So," Ron articulated, "I'm your best friend but you can't come to me with your problems?"
Harry shook his head. "It's not like that and you know it. I've told you everything…you and Hermione were the ones I trusted with my secrets long before I told Wyatt or anyone else. I've just got issues that I'd rather not involve you in…problems that take a bit more power to solve than you possess." Wyatt, I hope you're not taking this the wrong way.
Wyatt tilted his head. "I have no problem not being your best mate, Harry. I never in my wildest dreams thought to split up to Gryffindor Trio."
Harry rolled his eyes and returned his attention to Ron. Ron's ears were red and Harry could not tell if it was from anger or embarrassment. Either way, it wasn't a good sign.
"Look, Ron." Harry lowered his voice. "You and Hermione disagree with my vampiric form. You were ready to kill me because I am a dark creature. And now you're acting like a baby because I confided my concerns in Wyatt!"
Ron recoiled. "You could have spoken to us."
Harry laughed. "Yes, I suppose I could have…but I had other problems to contend with…making you two feel better was not at the top of my list." He kept his tone emotionless. "I don't hold it against you…I would have acted in a similar fashion…but Ron, you need to let this enmity with Wyatt go. Hermione already has."
Ron fiddled with the empty shot glass. "Who's your best man?"
"RON!" Wyatt glared at the redhead.
Harry bit his lip. "I'm going to ask Kyle to be my best man. He is the last blood relative I have and it could be a great way for me to connect with him."
"Oh." the young men tried to hide their disappointment.
Harry cocked his head. "Oh, come on…it's not like you're going to miss out on anything. Cho and I already agreed to have all our bridesmaids and groomsmen to sit with us during the reception. The only thing you guys won't do is being responsible for the rings."
"And the bachelor party," Wyatt commented.
Harry rolled his eyes. "I doubt Kyle is going to do the planning for that by himself…especially when he's not even going to be able to be there."
Ron and Wyatt lightened up after that.
As the rest of the month passed, Harry and Cho calmed down considerably. Everything was set for the wedding. Dumbledore had gotten the trials to be postponed and agreed to be the priest in the handfasting ritual. The rings were in Kyle's possession and Piper had persuaded her new manager to work the weekend of the wedding. They had convinced the Ministry that Auror protection was unnecessary and unwanted. Harry had already gone out to Stonehenge along with Wyatt and Dumbledore and set up wards and security measures should someone be foolish enough to attack. There was only one problem to still fix.
"Minister," Harry spoke calmly, "Draco Malfoy has proven himself loyal to the Light over and over again."
Robert Bennett nodded. "That still does not clear him from being put on trial. His father was part of Voldemort's inner circle. Unless he discloses all the information he has on what Voldemort's plans were before his defeat, he is going on trial."
Dumbledore spoke up before Harry could explode. "Draco has not lived with his father since the beginning of his sixth year. He worked as a spy for us feeding Voldemort false information…he is no more a threat to the New Order than I am."
"That is not saying much, Dumbledore." Bennett got up from behind his desk and walked to the window. "Draco Malfoy is going on trial."
Harry stood up and waved his hand to keep the Aurors from stopping him. "Minister, I do not agree with your trying of the Death Eaters' families. I have made that fact blatantly obvious, but if you do not remove Draco's name from that list, I will destroy you."
The Aurors started after Harry but Robert waved him off. "Mr. Potter, are you threatening me?"
Harry shrugged off Dumbledore's hand. "Yes. And you know that I can make true with that promise."
Bennett looked at Dumbledore who now sat serenely in his chair. "Mr. Potter, you can make your life a lot more difficult if you make enemies with the Ministry."
"I thoroughly doubt you could do anything worse than Voldemort." Harry smiled. "Draco Malfoy is going to attend my wedding…if anyone tries to stop him…"
Bennett glared at Harry. "I'll make sure that he is granted immunity for that one day. After that, he must turn himself in; otherwise I'm charging you, Dumbledore, and whoever the hell else I have to with treason."
Dumbledore stood up. "You are making the same mistakes your predecessor made. Good day, Minister. See you at the wedding."
Harry shut the door behind him. "Do you think he's going to be that foolish?"
"I have a feeling," Dumbledore lowered his voice, "that our Minister does not have to use that threat. He is going to try and destroy us through other means…and I will just have to sit back and watch."
"Keep the Ministry out of Hogwarts." Harry warned. "We do not need another Umbridge."
Dumbledore chuckled. "I doubt Robert Bennett is going to get that far. After all, he has to also keep public opinion on his side."
Harry rubbed his head and wandlessly cast the spell to secure his bowtie. He knew it was a stupid idea to have his bachelor party the night before the wedding. His body did not handle being intoxicated very well and the hangover was even worse. He had already drunken three of the special concoction Ginny made to relieve the symptoms with little result. He pulled on his tux jacket and placed his wand in his front pocket. He looked himself over in the mirror when the door creaked open.
"Harry, you need to get over there now." Ginny snapped.
Harry checked his watch. "The wedding doesn't start for another two hours."
"And we have to get Cho and ourselves ready in that time." Ginny was annoyed. "Go join your other idiot friends at Stonehenge. I'm sure they're all complaining about their migraines."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Any word from the airport group?"
Ginny shook her head. "The last I heard the plane was still on time…Lupin spoke to Tonks, but she hasn't told me anything."
Harry ran his hand through his hair, cursed, and charmed it neat again. "Call me the second you hear from them." He Disapparated before Ginny could reply.
Harry Apparated in just outside the parking lot for Stonehenge and crossed the street. A few Muggle tourists were arguing with the policeman guarding the entrance to the ancient monument. He walked past the policeman flashing the man his ID badge. He smiled inwardly as the tourists started to hammer the officer again. He continued toward the circle of stones. He felt the Nexus stir as he walked and he stiffened his will over the Suxen.
"Harry," Dumbledore called. The old wizard was dressed in a flowing heavy emerald robe and had a crown of holly seated on his head.
"You do realize that you don't have to wear that until the ceremony begins?" Harry smirked.
"I have grown rather fond of it," Dumbledore stroked the crown before smiling. "And I have to wear this as long as I am preparing the altar."
Harry rolled his eyes. "The altar is already ordained, Albus; that's why we chose this place."
"Correct," Dumbledore nodded. "And you brought me the willow twig to be fashioned into the ring wand. But you forgot the roses for behind the center stone and the lavender for the initiation of the ritual."
"And those have to be blessed?"
Dumbledore nodded. "A handfasting is more than just a marriage ceremony, Harry. It is an invocation of some of the most potent and ancient magic. The ceremony must be done correctly."
Harry nodded. "Whatever you say, Albus."
Dumbledore was already continuing his search for whatever he was looking for. Harry walked past the thousands of chairs set up for the guests both invited and unwelcome. He stopped into front of the tent where Cho would wait until the wedding march. Harry had argued for that part of the regular wedding ceremony to be left in.
"Harry!" Ron shielded his eyes when Harry opened the front curtains.
Harry laughed; the fourth potion he had slipped him while talking to Ginny had done the trick. "I warned you not the drink the third bottle of whatever that stuff was."
Ron groaned, "Shut it."
Wyatt, who had not drunk anything the previous night due to Ginny's warnings of him losing his family jewels, smiled at Ron. "Any word from the airport party?"
Harry shook his head.
"I'd tell them to orb here," Wyatt whispered so that Ron could not hear him. "You don't know how long the ritual is going to take."
Harry eyed Wyatt with a quizzical look. "You said you've called your grandmother before."
"Yes…well…" Wyatt checked to make sure Ron was still ignoring them, "I've been thinking it over some more. And there's never been a case where a wand witch or wizard has been called back from the dead."
"And there's also never been a case of a wand wizard having Wiccan powers." Harry argued softly. "And now there are six, not counting you and Chris."
"Well, Chris still can't use a wand; he can just perform the spells…" Wyatt countered stupidly.
Harry closed his eyes. "So do you still think it's going to work?"
"What's going to work?" Ron butted in.
Wyatt looked over his shoulder and saw the five empty potion vials. "Nothing Ron. . . Damn! I was hoping he wouldn't find those."
Harry shook his head at Wyatt but Ron took as him agreeing with the whitelighter and sat back down a lot more chipper.
"Did you figure out what was in those things?" Harry asked Wyatt.
Wyatt smiled, "I know one of the ingredients is Caffeinus Orchus. It's a magical bug that produces enough caffeine to keep the better part of Los Angeles awake for days. From the concentration I found, there is about one of those bugs per vial."
Harry quietly thanked the higher powers that he was not sensitive to caffeine. "Is he going to be this 'awake' during the ceremony?"
"No," Wyatt lowered his voice, "his magic should cancel out the stimulant soon enough."
Harry nodded. "So do you think it'll work?"
"I have no idea," Wyatt said regretfully. "There's no information on that archway in any of the books Paige saved from Magic School or the Book of Shadows. All I can tell you is that if what Merlin said is correct, then I don't see why not."
"And what about—"
"Harry," Wyatt worked his jaw, thinking of the right way to proceed. "You said yourself you felt him vanish. I'd not count on—"
Harry suddenly answered his cell phone. "Ginny? All right, I'll be right there…" He hung up. "The plane just landed, but they're having a problem with customs."
"Sir," the security guard spoke politely, "you cannot go through here."
Harry rolled his eyes. "I really don't want to do this." He waved his hand and the young woman slumped against the wall. He walked through the checkpoint and up to the waiting Lupin and anonymous Order member. "What's going on?"
Lupin turned to face Harry. "Brendin and Ethan got through security just fine. Then they stopped Kyle, Casey, and Daelan…they allowed Leah and Michelle, and Kyle's date through along with the rest of the flight. Brendin and Ethan are trying to argue with the customs agent. The girls are in the car along with Kingsley."
Harry strode up to the customs desk and hopped over it. The agent, surprised, reached for her panic button but Harry froze her. "Sorry, but I'd rather not spend my wedding night in jail."
"You're Harry Potter!"
Harry nodded. "And these are the members of the Power of Five. Now that we're acquainted, tell me why you're not allowing Kyle, Casey, and Daelan into the country."
The agent gulped. "They're…they're visas are expired."
"Oh," Harry raised his hand and the three passports flew into his palm. "From what I see, they're valid for another five more days."
"Yes, but the rules state…"
Harry looked the agent in the eyes. "These young men are not aware of the rules and are not planning to stay in the country for more than a day. They're leaving on the ten a.m. flight tomorrow. How is that breaking any law?"
The agent struggled to unfreeze her body. Harry waved his hand and the spell broke. "I've got to speak to my superiors."
Harry closed his eyes. His nerves were shot and he did not feel like dealing with any more bureaucrats. "Fine."
She reached for her phone and a minute later two security guards appeared in the hallway along with a middle-aged man in a suit.
"My employee says you have some problem with our rules, Mr. Potter."
Harry nodded. "Your rules are not allowing my best man to attend my wedding and if you keep this up much longer…I'm going to be late for it as well."
"Well, I am sorry for the inconvenience but…" The man stopped and stared at Harry. "You're the Harry Potter!"
Harry ignored the man. "Do you think you can Apparate to the Ministry?" Kyle frowned but nodded. "OK, do that, all of you. I'll tell Lupin to take the girls to Stonehenge in the mean time and then join you there."
"But isn't that breaking…?"
Harry shook his head. "You're wizards, which means you can operate under the Ministry's laws rather than the Parliament's. I'll explain that to this gentleman." Harry waited until he heard five pops. "Sorry to burst your bubble, but you hold no jurisdiction over us; at least, not yet."
He walked over to Lupin. "Go to Stonehenge; we'll be there in a few minutes."
"What did you do?"
Harry shrugged. "I lied…but only a little."
"Are you sure this is going to work?" Kyle questioned.
Harry opened the next door to the room hoping that it would be the correct one. "I have no idea. But it's worth a shot."
"What exactly are we doing?" Casey inquired.
Harry shut the door and waited for them to stop spinning. "In one of these doors lies an amphitheatre. In that amphitheatre lies an archway covered with a tattered veil. That archway I've come to believe is a doorway into another plane, one created by Merlin. I am hoping to perform the ritual the Halliwells use to call one of their lost loved ones to call my parents and Sirius from the other side." Harry paused when he opened the door and looked at a familiar room. "This way."
They arrived at the place Harry returned to so often in his nightmares. Harry walked up to the archway with determination in each step. He summoned the candles and lit them with a flick of his hand. Another wave of his hand and the pentagram was drawn, connecting the candles. He called to his consciousness the events in his nightmares. He pointed his wand at the curtain, his eyes purple, and muttered the spell. The three separate symbols burned into the fabric. He turned to face the worried teens.
"Relax," Harry closed his eyes and calmed down. His eyes became emerald once again. "Do any of you have a pin?"
Kyle produced a silver pin from his pocket. "I found it on the floor…it's not clean, Harry."
Harry just paused from pricking himself and instead held the pin in one of the flames of the candles. "Now it's sterile." He pricked his finger and allowed one drop of blood to fall on to the flame of each candle. The flames went out, but once the fifth flame died, all five erupted back to life. Harry looked at the faces of his friends and saw their fear.
"Harry…" Brendin's tone was rather cautious. "It didn't do that when Chris summoned his aunt."
The flames returned to their normal height. "I know…but then again, Chris is not nearly as powerful as I am."
Kyle stared at his cousin. "Harry, think this through. Do you really want to endanger yourself just to see your parents again?"
Harry's orbs snapped onto Kyle. "YES." he hissed.
Kyle stared back at the older Gryffindor. "You're a fool…I know what Merlin told you…this is dangerous, not just for you, but for everyone. Breaking the separation between planes could unravel the universe!" Harry turned away and started the chant. "Harry, stop it! You're going to kill us all!"
Harry spoke as he continued the chant. "AND WHY SHOULD I CARE?"
"Because," Caleb appeared next to Brendin, "You love Cho. You don't want to kill her."
The chant ceased and a light breeze blew the candles out. Harry dropped to the floor with his eyes shut. Kyle took a step toward him and the room shook. The veil ripped in two and the space in the archway glowed a blinding white. The air grew hot and stifling, causing them to gasp for each searing breath. Then everything returned back to normal. Harry stood up and stared into the archway.
"You have done it, Harry," Merlin's unexpectedly voice driftedfrom the archway. "But you have also condemned us all."
"What do you mean?" Harry shouted.
Merlin's voice was fainter when next he spoke. "The veil kept us from passing on…now the knowledge is lost forever."
Harry raised his hands and violet tentacles enwrapped the archway. "Tell me how to fix it!" He pleaded.
Merlin's voice was almost inaudible. "Create a new veil…one that only the true heirs will be able to break. Only they can fix what wrong is being done in the present. Harry, you must save us. The seal is broken, but the veil can be fixed…"
Harry's skin grew pale and his back arched forward. Two bat-like wings burst out of his skin and the tentacles became more tangible. Harry opened his eyes to find a purple glow illuminating the archway. His fingers started to elongate and his nails turned black. The archway then glowed white and a new dark purple curtain covered that glow. The curtain clung to the archway before smothering out of the light from within. Harry collapsed to the floor, human again.
"Harry!" Kyle called out and he frowned. He quickly looked up to see two human figures walking through the veil. His eyes widened as their form became recognizable.
"Harry…" Lily Potter knelt down beside her son. "…You did it."
Harry opened his eyes and they lit up. "But…but how?"
"Your selfless act," James answered. "The higher powers believed that you could finally handle the fact that your parents are dead."
"Uncle?" Kyle spoke timidly.
James turned around and his face broke into a grin. "Kyle…your mother is so proud of you."
Kyle's eyes watered. "My…my mom's in there?"
James nodded, still smiling. "She told me tell you that she loves you and that she wants you to stop blaming yourself for her death."
Kyle looked at the floor to avoid the glances from his friends. "How long are you here for?"
Lily got back to her feet as did Harry. "As good of a conversation changer as your sister, James. We're here for the day."
James roguishly smiled. "So how are we getting out of this blasted place?"
Harry only grinned. "Like this…"
Harry's heart pounded in his chest as he escorted his mother, to the amazement of everyone, and his father to their places closest to the altar. He smiled sadly at the two empty spots for Cho's parents; both had been killed in the war close to the abrupt ending of his sixth year. He quickly regained his composure and joined Dumbledore in front of the altar. On his side of the altar stood Tonks and Hermione, along with Kyle who was closest to the altar. On the other side stood Wyatt, Ron and again closest to the altar, Ginny. He smiled at his friends and spun around at hearing the faint notes of the Wedding March.
Cho, looking absolutely stunningin her perfect dress, walked down the long pathway up to the altar. Beside her walked Uurande-tur, the second priest. Harry's smile grew and his heart leapt when Cho smiled back. She reached the altar and carefully laid the single enlarged blue violet on the altar parallel to the willow wand. Cho bowed her head to Uurande-tur and he sat down, ready to take over should Dumbledore not be able to finish the ceremony. She then honored Dumbledore with the lowering of her gaze. She finally grasped Harry's one hand and faced their guests. The music faded away.
Dumbledore cleared his throat. "We are gathered here under this magnificent sun to witness the eternal union of Harry James Potter and Cho Chang. If any are opposed to this marriage, please speak now or forever hold your peace." Silence met the proposition and Dumbledore continued. "Mr. Potter and Miss Chang have elected to be joined in the ancient tradition of handfasting. Will the best man please place the wedding bands on the altar?"
Kyle stepped forward and lifted the willow wand. He slipped the first ring onto the wand and fixed it in its niche before doing the same with the other ring. He placed the wand on the violet so the two formed a cross in the center of the stone altar.
"Does the bride or groom have any other gifts to offer at this time?" Dumbledore looked at the two lovers. They both shook their heads. "Then will the maid of honor please light the lavender?" Ginny pulled out her wand and tapped the ends of the lavender bundles; smoke rose from the altar. "Know now before you go further, that since your lives have crossed in this life, you have formed ties between each other. As you seek to enter this state of matrimony, you should strive to make real, the ideals which give meaning to both this ceremony and the institution of marriage."
Dumbledore motioned with his finger and the smoke encircled Harry and Cho. "With full awareness, be aware that within this circle of smoke and stone, you are not only declaring your intent to be handfasted before your friends and family, but you are requesting magic bring you both even closer together, enwrapping your destinies together for all time.
"Do you still seek to enter this union?"
Harry and Cho smiled and looked at the priest. "Yes, we still seek entry."
"In times passed, it was believed that the human soul shared characteristics with all things. It is this belief, which assigned virtues to the four elements of nature: Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. It is in this tradition that a blessing is offered in support of this ceremony.
"Blessed be this union with the gifts of the timeless Air, communication of the heart, mind, and body, fresh beginnings with the rising of each Sun. The knowledge of the growth found in the sharing of silences.
"Blessed be this union with the gifts of the eternal Fire. Warmth of hearth and home, the zealousheat of the heart's passion, and the light created by both to lighten the darkest of times.
"Blessed be this union with the gifts of the unending Water. The deep commitments of the lake, the swift excitement of the river, the refreshing cleansing of the rain, and the all-encompassing passion of the sea.
"Blessed be this union with the gifts of the everlasting Earth. Firm foundation on which to build Fertility of the fields to enrich your lives, a stable home to which you may always return.
"Each of these blessings from the four elements emphasizes those things which will help you build a happy and successful union. Yet they are only tools: Tools, which you must use together in order to create what you seek in this union.
"I bid you to look into each other's eyes as your friends initiate you into your marriage." Dumbledore went to sit next to Uurande-tur.
Kyle took Dumbledore's place in front of the altar. He smiled at his cousin and friend.
"Harry, will you cause Cho pain?"
Harry answered, "I may."
"Is that your intent?" Kyle's smiled grew.
"No," Harry sounded resolute.
Kyle turned slightly to face Cho. "Cho, will you cause Harry pain?"
"Yes." Cho said sadly.
Kyle nodded. "Is that your intention?"
Cho firmly looked at Harry. "Absolutely not."
Kyle picked up a maple box from the altar. "Will you share each other's pain and seek to ease it?"
"Yes." They answered in unison.
Kyle opened the box and pulled out a silver cord. He closed the box and placed it on the before now empty iron stand. "And so, the first binding is made. Please face each other and join hands." He placed the silver cord over their hands. Kyle then returned to his place and Ginny stepped up.
"Cho, will you share in his laughter?"
Cho nodded and answered. "Yes."
Ginny smiled and blinked away a tear. "Harry, will you share in her joy?"
"Yes." Harry's eyes twinkled.
"Will both of you look for the brightness in life and all that is positive in each other?" Ginny picked a green cord from the box without removing it from its stand.
"We will."
"Then the second binding is made." Ginny placed the twine over their hands and returned to her place.
Ron took her place. "Harry, will you burden Cho?"
"I may."
"Is that your intent?"
Harry intensified his stare into Cho's loving orbs. "Never."
"And Cho, will you burden Harry?"
"I will."
"Is that your intent?"
Cho shook her head slightly. "No."
Ron removed another silver strand from the box. "Will you share the burdens of each so that your spirits may grow in this union?"
"Yes."
"And the third binding is made." Ron said as he draped the silver cord over their hands.
Hermione took Ron's place in front of the altar. "Cho…will you share his dreams?"
"Yes."
Hermione looked seriously at Harry. "Will you, Harry, share her dreams?"
"Definitely." Harry squeezed Cho's hand, careful to not upset the cords.
Hermione picked a green cord. "Will you dream together to create new realities and hopes?"
"Yes." They grinned at each other.
Hermione laid the string over their hands. "And the fourth binding is formed."
Wyatt got in front of the altar. "Harry, will you anger Cho?"
Harry pretended to shrink back in fear only enough for Cho to notice and she smiled. "I probably will."
"Is that your intent?"
"No."
"Cho, I ask you the same question. Will you anger him?"
"I probably will."
"Is that ever your intent?"
Cho took a deep breath. "No."
Wyatt picked out the last silver cord in the box. "Will you take the heat of anger and use it to temper the strength of this union?"
"We will." They unfalteringlyanswered as Wyatt laid the cord over their hands.
"And thusly, the fifth is made."
Tonks got up and smirked at the two of them. "Cho, will you honor Harry in everything you do?"
"I will."
"Harry, will you do the same for Cho?"
Harry nodded. "I will."
Tonks picked the last chord out of the box, a gold cord. "Will you seek to never give cause to break that honor and in so doing, go on loving each other forever?"
"We will."
Tonks lay the gold cord across their hands. "And final binding is made."
Dumbledore stood to reclaim is spot. "The knots of this binding are not formed by these chords, but instead by your vows. Either of you may drop the chords, for as always, you hold in your own hands the making or breaking of this union." He tied the chords together. "You will take this rope as a reminder of your vows to each other, along with your wedding bands."
Dumbledore raised the wand, held it over his head, and muttered something under his breath. The wand caught fire and the rings fell onto the steady fingers of Harry and Cho. Dumbledore removed the cord from their hands. "Now with the powers vested in me as a member of the Wizengamot and the newly founded High Council, I pronounce you, man and wife. Harry, you may kiss your bride."
Harry leaned in and soundlykissed Cho and to them, time seemed to stop. They finally broke apart. "Ladies and gentlemen, wizards and witches, and other magical beings, I am proud to present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Potter!" The audience broke into raucous cheers, whistles andapplause the loudest coming from James.
"That was a fabulous ceremony," James commented to Harry. They were at Phoenix Hall and dinner had just ended. The Weird Sisters were tuning up for the first dance and Piper was guarding the wedding cake with her life.
"Thanks, Dad." Harry watched Cho as she spoke to one of her old school friends.
"She's really got you hooked." James teased.
Lily appeared next to her husband. "Don't tease him, James. I think it's wonderful Harry has found someone he loves so much."
Harry nodded absently. "Sirius is really gone."
James clapped Harry on the back. "Oh, don't say such things. He's here, celebrating with you…no one you love ever really dies."
"Now you sound like Dumbledore." Harry jibed.
Lily shook her head. "You two would have driven me nuts."
Harry was about to answer when the doors opened. He heard a few people scream, but he ignored them. "I was beginning to wonder if you'd make it."
Cho appeared next to Harry. "Nice to finally meet you, Antonius and Xtoperus."
Xtoperus bowed and kissed Cho on the hand. "I commend you on your recent marriage. Antonius, do you not have something to say…?"
"It can't be . . . ." Antonius was staring in the direction of Harry's parents.
Harry smiled. "Antonius, Xtoperus, I suspect you know James Potter and his lovely wife, Lily?"
James waved his hand and Lily grabbed it. He shouted across the room nonetheless. "Good to see you again old cronies!"
"But how?" Antonius hissed.
Harry waved his hand. "Not now…I believe the Sisters are ready for us, dear." And Harry pulled Cho onto the dance floor.
"Harry, what are you talking about?" Cho kept her voice low despite the lack of obvious eavesdroppers.
Harry took another swill of his butterbeer. "You just need to listen to Uur when the time comes. He will protect you and make sure you're taken care of."
"Why can't you do that?" Cho was getting annoyed now.
Harry sighed. "Look, Cho. I can't tell you everything, just like I can't know everything. If the Ministry sentences the Death Eaters and their families to death at the end of these trials, there will be no turning back. I have got to protect the Light from itself. Now, forget it…we've got our honeymoon in Hawaii look forward to…it could be another three years before I've got to take the actions I'm alluding to."
Cho solemnlystared at Harry. "Do you really not trust me?"
Harry sharply glanced at Cho. "I love you, Cho…I don't want to see you hurt. This war is going to claim the lives of everyone who stand in the new Dark Lord's way…he will take the lives of some who aren't in his way as well." Harry's eyes drew blank for a second. "But this is all in the vague future. Let us enjoy the here and the now for once in our lives."
Cho heavilysighed and agreed. After all, the last thing they needed was to somber and sober on her wedding day.
AN: I want to thank everyone who stuck with me through the story. It has been a long process and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. A special thanks goes to Dana for all the hard work she went through reading the chapters and sticking with me through all the twists and turns, some so sudden that it threw even me for a loop at times.
Next chapter - Well there is none but that does not mean you can't still review.
I may upload the intro chapter to my new story, the beginning of a new saga for the Potter and Halliwell universe, in a day or so. Hope you all give it a go.
Thanks again,
HP21